discharge with his regiment in July,
1866, and then returned to Plattsmouth. He was engaged
in the drug business in Omaha until 1867, when he
obtained a commission as Second Lieutenant in the
regular army, and was attached to the 41st Regiment,
which was afterward consolidated with another, and
became the 24th Regiment. In 1869 our subject was made
Adjutant of the regiment, and served in that capacity
three years, when he resigned the position, and
subsequently he served with his command the greater
part of the time in Texas until his resignation from
the army in 1878 to accept his present position.
Capt. Donovan was married, in 1850,
to Catherine Keife, a native of County Dublin. She was
a woman of many lovable qualities, who held a warm
place in the hearts of many friends, and her death in
1882 caused sadness in other households besides that
of her own family, To her and her husband four
children were born -- Robert, Katie, George and Flora
C. Katie married John M. O'Grady, and died in
Plattsmouth at the age of twenty-two. Our subject and
his family are all communicants of the Episcopal
Church. The Captain combines the quick wit, the warm
and generous heart, and the never-failing courtesy and
tact, of the true Irish gentleman, and he is popular
with all.

HRISTOFF
MEYER. The enterprising German citizen is to be found
all over the United States, pushing his way into new
sections, and. planting his stakes, usually abides,
distinguishing himself for his thrift, industry and
prudence, and so laboring as usually to obtain a
competence. His children who come after him will
proudly repeat the story of his life, and thus he has
his reward.
The subject of this sketch, a true
son of the Fatherland, is substantially located on a
good farm on section 4 in Avoca Precinct, where he has
now 158 acres of thoroughly cultivated land. His
original purchase embraced 165 acres, a portion having
been cut off by the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which
runs across a corner of his farm. He settled here when
the land was in its primitive condition, without a
building upon it, and unfenced. The labor of years has
resulted in one of the most finely improved farms in
this section, with an imposing two-story stone
dwelling, erected in 1880, and the outbuildings
naturally arising to meet the requirements of the
modern farmer who keeps track of the improvements of
the day, and operates accordingly. None but he who has
performed it can gain a correct idea of the labor
involved in the construction of the well-regulated
farm, and in addition to this there has been no small
amount of hard cash expended in connection therewith.
This, however, has proved a safe investment for
capital, being out of the reach of the defaulting bank
cashier.
The Atlantic Ocean separates Mr.
Meyer from the home of his childhood, he being a
native of the Empire of Germany, and born Dec. 23,
1824. He was reared under the paternal roof, and
received an excellent education in his native tongue.
At an early age he distinguished himself as a natural
mechanic, being able to handle all kinds of tools with
facility, and this gift has been the means of saving
him hundreds of dollars in connection with his farming
operations.
The parents of our subject were
Charles and Lucy (Newe) Meyer, also natives of the
Empire of Germany, and who spent their entire lives in
their native land, dying at a ripe old age. Their
family consisted of two sons and four daughters, of
whom Christoff, our subject, was the only one coming
to the United States. He was unmarried at this time,
making the journey in the summer of 1854. Soon after
landing upon American soil he proceeded to Washington
County, Wis., settling among strangers and without
means. His honest face and evidently correct habits
soon procured him friends and employment, and he lived
in Wisconsin until the spring of 1860. In the meantime
he was married, Sept. 18, 1858, to Miss Ellen
Halmas.
Mrs. Meyer, also a native of
Prussia, was born April 24, 1841, and came to the
United States with her parents when a young girl of
thirteen years. They also located in the Badger State,
living in Oconto County until after the marriage of
their daughter Ellen. Later they removed to Chicago,
Ill., where the father died in middle life. The

1092

CASS COUNTY.

mother subsequently came to
Nebraska, and died at the home of her son Nicholas, in
this county. She was about seventy-four years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Halmas were the parents of five children,
all of whom are living and located mostly in the
United States.
To Mr. and Mrs. Meyer there have
been born thirteen children, two of whom, Lucy and
John, died at the ages of one and six years
respectively. The survivors are Nicholas, Mathias,
Mary, Margaretta, Susanna, Peter, Charles, Lizzie,
August, Henry and Joseph. Mathias is married and
living in this county; Mary, Mrs. Jergonson, is a
resident of this county; Margaretta is the wife of J.
Denne, and makes her home in Otoe County. Mr. Meyer,
politically, is a stanch Democrat, and both he and his
estimable wife are members of the German Catholic
Church. They are people of Standing and importance in
their community, and are amply worthy of
representation in the ALBUM of
Cass County.

R.
JOSEPH E. HALL, a regular practicing physician and
surgeon of good standing in Weeping Water, located at
this place about 1881, and during his seven years'
residence has built up a remarkably fine business. He
bears an excellent reputation as a citizen and a
practitioner, and enjoys in a large degree the
confidence and esteem of the people of this vicinity.
He is a gentleman of marked ability, a close student,
and conscientious in the discharge of the duties of
his profession.
Dr. Hall first set foot upon the
soil of Nebraska June 17, 1881, and at once took up
his location in Weeping Water, of which he has since
been a resident, attending strictly to business. In
1887 he completed a fine residence on South Randolph
street, which, with its surroundings, forms one of the
attractive homes of the city. In its enterprises and
improvements he has taken an active part since
becoming a resident here, serving on the School Board
three years, and has held the office of County
Physician two years, also for two years that of
surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company.
Socially he is a K. of P., and also belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America, holding various official
capacities in his lodge at Weeping Water.
Dr. Hall was born in Alexandria,
Ind., April 24, 1858, and lived there until he was a
young man twenty years old. He had in the meantime
received a good preliminary education, and now began
the reading of medicine with Dr. J. W. Perry, of the
same place, continuing with him one year, and spending
the year following with Drs. Chittenden & Jones,
of Anderson, Ind. Later he entered upon a course of
lectures in the Indiana Medical College at
Indianapolis, from which he was graduated with honors
March 3, 1881. He still belongs to the Sydenham
Society of that college, and is also prominently
connected with the State Medical Society of Nebraska,
and the Railroad Surgical Society of the State.
Dr. Hall, after being graduated,
established himself at once in Weeping Witter, where
he has one of the finest equipped offices in the city,
and a remarkably complete assortment of surgical
instruments and appliances, together with a library
and everything else needful for the successful
prosecution of his practice.
Our subject, on the 4th of May,
1882, was united in marriage with Miss Rosetta J.
Blake, of Alexandria, and they are now the parents of
three children, two sons and a daughter, namely:
Virgil, Ethel and Homer. Mrs. Hall was born March 27,
1858, in Markleville, Ind., and is the daughter of W.
P. and Isabella (Williams) Blake, who are now living
upon a farm in the vicinity of Alexandria. She was
carefully trained and educated, and taught school a
period of four years before her marriage. They have a
snug home in the central part of town, and enjoy the
society of many friends.
Jesse H. Hall, the father of our
subject, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Nov. 22,
1822, and lived there until a lad of eight years. He
then removed to Indiana with his parents, they
settling in Madison County during its pioneer days.
Upon reaching man's estate he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Ellis, and they became the parents of
thirteen children, eleven of whom lived to mature
years, and six sons and two daughters are still
living. Mr.

CASS COUNTY.

1093

Hall was successful in his labors as
an agriculturist, and carried on farming extensively
in his adopted State during the latter years of his
life. In early manhood he was engaged as a teacher a
period of twelve years. He is a very intelligent man,
one who keeps himself well posted upon current events,
and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, in
whose principles he trained his sons, and of which our
subject, the Doctor, is an equally ardent advocate.
Both parents have been for many years connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from their
sterling worth and integrity of character stand high
among the people of their community.
Joseph H. Hall, the paternal
grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ohio,
whence he removed to Indiana about 1830, where he
spent his last days, dying at the old homestead in
Madison County, in February of the year 1872, when
sixty-six years old. Dr. Hall's wife is a member of
the Baptist Church in Weeping Water, of which they are
regular attendants, and to which they contribute a
liberal support.

EORGE
OBERLE, a well-known and successful agriculturist of
Tipton Precinct, has a well-regulated farm pleasantly
located on section 30, and which embraces 250 acres of
good land. Upon it are neat and substantial buildings,
including a fine new residence, commodious and built
in modern style of architecture, which has been but
recently completed, and is the admiration of the
country around. Our subject belongs to that
nationality to which the Great West is largely
indebted for its growth and development, and was born
on the beautiful Rhine River, near the village of
Ottenheim, March 9, 1840.
Mr. Oberle spent his boyhood and
youth in his native Province, acquiring, in common
with the young people of Germany, an excellent
education in the public schools. Afterward he employed
himself mostly at hunting and fishing, remaining on
his native soil until 1867. In the meantime he entered
into partnership with his brother and other men, they
being engaged in building a stone wall on the River
Rhine, to protect the land. In 1866 our subject
entered the army during the war between Germany and
Austria, and was under the enemy's fire in many a
battle. After a service of six months he returned to
his old business, but in the April of 1867 resolved to
seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic.
Repairing to Havre, France, he made his way by steamer
to Liverpool, and there embarked on the ocean vessel
"WaIda," landing in New York City after a voyage of
eighteen days.
Our subject tarried a very little
while in the metropolis, then proceeded westward to
St. Clair County, in Southern Illinois, and in the
vicinity of Belleville found employment as a farm
laborer, and sojourned in that locality a period of
five years. In the spring of 1872 he made his way west
to Nebraska City, and the year following came to this
county and homesteaded a tract of land in Tipton
Precinct, which is included in his present farm. He
commenced at first principles in the construction of a
homestead, there having been no attempt, whatever, at
improvement. His first business was to cultivate a
portion of the soil, after which he commenced fencing
his land, putting up buildings, planting trees in
groves and orchards, and gradually gathered around
himself the comforts and conveniences which have made
his homestead a noticeable feature of his precinct.
Later he added to his first purchase as follows: Fifty
acres on section 29, eighty on section 30 and 130 on
section 31. It has all been brought to a productive
condition, and is amply watered by the Little Nemaha.
Mr. Oberle gives considerable attention to
stock-raising, producing excellent grades of horses,
cattle and swine, having usually a herd of forty
cattle, sixty hogs and ten head of horses.
Mr. Oberle was married, in Nebraska
City, March 15, 1873, to Miss Mary Stolz, a native of
the same Province as her husband, and born in April,
1847. Mrs. Oberle came to America in her girlhood with
friends. She is the daughter of George Stolz, who was
of German ancestry, and whose family consisted of four
children. Three of these are living, located in the
old country. The parents are deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Oberle there have
been born

1094

CASS COUNTY.

five children, namely: George, Jr.;
Carl, who died when about six years old; Frederick,
Rudolph and Emil. Mr. and Mrs. O. are Lutherans in
religion, and our subject, politically, is a solid
Republican. His parents were Deibold and Anna (Hauser)
Oberle, who were natives of the same place as their
son. They spent their entire lives in their native
Germany, and the father was by occupation a fisher,
hunter and trapper. He served for a time in the German
Army, and after rounding up a ripe old age passed away
in 1880. The mother survived her husband four years,
dying in 1884. They were members of the Evangelical
Protestant Church. Their family consisted of eight
children, of whom our subject was the fourth child
born. They were named respectively: Deibold, George,
Carl, Frederick, Annie M., Kate, Christina (who died
when about thirty years old) and Lena. Three sisters
of these came to America.

LBERT
E. LEWIS is a prosperous young farmer who came to
Nebraska in February, 1880, and settled on eighty
acres of land on the southern half of the northwest
half of section 31, Elmwood Precinct, to the
improvement of which he has devoted his entire time
and attention. Coming to Nebraska without any great
financial means, in fact, a poor man, he has done
exceedingly well, and the various improvements which
he has planned and begun making bespeak a future
replete with comfort and happiness, should his life be
spared to realize a full fruition of all his
hopes.
Mr. Lewis was married in the fall of
1880 to Miss Lydia E. Hite, the daughter of David and
Mary (Curyea) Hite. Her father was a native of Ohio,
and her mother of Virginia, and she was one of a
family of nine children born to her parents: John M,
now deceased; James Alva, Theodore J., Flora B.,
Charles F., Lydia E., Nellie M., Lenora M. and Alice
M. Mr. Lewis is the youngest of three children. The
other two were named Elizabeth and William R. He was
born on the 28th of July, 1850, in LaSalle County,
Ill. He evinced a great love for study and books at an
early age, and never lost an opportunity of attending
the schools near his home. The father of Mr. Lewis
came to Illinois in 1838. He died in 1871, sixty-five
years of age. The mother, Eliza A. (Holder) Lewis,
died at the age of forty-one years.
Mr. Lewis is a man who aspires to
attain the highest place among his fellows, and should
he continue to live in the years to come as he has
lived in years that have gone, there is no question
but that the fondest aspirations of his heart will be
fully realized in this direction. He has been in his
present location eight years. During that time, by
strict integrity of purpose, and a close attention to
all the details of farm life he has been enabled to
build a snug little home. Although small in extent,
there are none showing a greater amount of happiness
and home comfort, and giving a better promise of
brighter days in the future. All the avenues leading
to a snug competency are open to him, and we find him
most zealously pursuing his way to reach that goal. In
his wife he has a true and in fact a genuine helpmate,
always ready and anxious to share every burden and
ever care, and bestow every joy and comfort of which
she is capable. A lady of refinement and taste, her
home shows evidence of her skill as a housewife.
Together they are a most estimable couple, and deserve
all the good things that can come to them. In politics
Mr. L. acts with the Democratic party. For a sketch of
the lady's ancestry see the history of David Hite,
Esq. As to the ancestry of the gentleman's mother,
refer to the sketch of William R. Lewis.

ILLIAM
MARSHALL, manager of the boot & shoe house of
Charles Marshall, in Weeping Water, has charge of one
of the largest concerns of the kind in the city. The
business was established by the father of our subject
in September, 1872, and has been familiarly known as
Marshall's Shoe Store ever since that time, although
having been owned by different members of the same
family. Its success is indicative of the good
judgement and discretion which have characterized its
management from the beginning.
The subject of this sketch was born
in Yorkshire,

CASS COUNTY.

1095

England, April 17, 1862, and came to
America with his parents when a little lad ten years
of age. After landing upon the soil of this continent
they made their way directly westward to this county,
settling in Weeping Water, where the father engaged in
the boot and shoe trade, and where our subject was
reared to manhood. Here also he completed a practical
education. and spending much time during his youthful
days in his father's store, became at an early age
familiar with all the details of the business. He
assumed the management in July, 1886, and is keeping
up the reputation of the family and the house in the
old-time manner.
Mr. Marshall was married, Nov. 19,
1885, to Miss Ella B. Savage, who was born in
McDonough County, Ill., Dec. 16, 1863. James Savage,
the father of Mrs. Marshall, was one of the solid
farmers of that county, his property being located
within the township limits of Macomb. He came to
Nebraska about 1882, and purchased land in Hamilton
County, where his death took place in July, 1884. Mrs.
Savage is still living, and makes her home with her
daughter Ella in Weeping Water.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the
parents of one child, a son, Spencer J., who was born
Sept. 4, 1886. Mr. M. belongs to the I. O. O. F., the
K. of P. and the Modern Workmen of America.
John Marshall, the father of our
subject, was born in Yorkshire, England, April 18,
1830, and lived there until 1872. He married Miss
Charlotte Day, a native of Worcestershire, and they
became the parents of ten children, six sons and four
daughters, who, with one exception, all came to
America with him. Weeping Water at the time of his
settlement here was a little town of 400 or 500
people, and he established his shoe store on the
corner of Randolph and I streets, where it still
remains. In due time there was a sign put out having
upon it Marshall & Son, and later, as the father
withdrew from the active business, and the sons took
his place, it was changed to Marshall Bros. The first
two brothers assuming charge of the business were John
T. and William. Next the former withdrew and William
and Arthur U. conducted the business. It is now the
property of Charles Marshall, who makes his home in
Syracuse, Neb.
John Marshall and his sons are equal
to several full teams in their advocacy of the
principles of the Republican party. They meddle very
little with politics, but keep themselves thoroughly
posted upon State and National events, and wield a
silent influence which has its weight. They are
first-class business men, attending strictly to the
details of their trade, are prompt to meet their
obligations, and in both the business and social
circles of Cass County are marked a No. 1.

ICHOLAS
HALMES, one of the most liberal and public-spirited
citizens of Plattsmouth Precinct, is pleasantly
located on a good farm occupying a portion of section
8, and may be properly ranked among the self-made men
of Cass County. Of German birth and ancestry, he is a
native of Prussia, where he was born Aug. 15, 1831.
His parents were Martin and Mary (Newell) Halmes, the
mother a native of the same Province as her son; they
spent the latter part of their lives in Wisconsin and
Nebraska. Both are now dead.
Martin Halmes, Sr., the grandfather
of our subject, was born in the Province of Elza,
France, where he married, and where Martin, Jr., was
also born. The latter in 1814 joined the French Army,
and the year following was taken prisoner by the
Prussians into their country, and subsequently served
in the ranks of the Prussian Army a period of three
years. At the close of the war he married a Miss
Newall, and was a resident of Prussia until the year
1853.
In the year above mentioned Martin
Halmes, Jr., accompanied by his wife and five
children, emigrated to America, and proceeding
westward located in Wisconsin, where he followed
farming until 1857. He then retired from active labor,
and was making his plans to come to Nebraska and live
with his son, our subject, when his death occurred in
1860, after having spent a few months in Chicago with
his daughter, Mrs. Margaret Craig.
After the death of his father our
subject brought his mother home, and she lived with
him until her death, which occurred in the year 1878.
Mr. Halmes came to Nebraska Territory in 1857,
locating in

1096

CASS COUNTY.

the vicinity of the present town of
Weeping Water, pre-empting 160 acres of land, which he
occupied until 1866. Then selling out he removed to
his present home on sections 7 and 8. Here he
purchased 200 acres, twenty acres of which had been
broken, but further than this there was little
improvement. He at once put up a stone house and began
farming. He was prospered in his labors, and invested
his surplus capital in additional land, being the
possessor of 1,010 acres, all of which is in a
productive condition.
For a man who landed upon the soil
of Nebraska with a capital of $5 in his pocket, Mr.
Halmes has certainly made a good record. A part of
this he invested in a pair of boots, and then began
working for the farmers around. The first $300 which
he made he lost, being the victim of misplaced
confidence. He secured unto himself a wife and
helpmate in 1860, being married to Miss Henrietta
Obernolte, of Plattsmouth. Of this union there were
born seven children, namely: Mary, Nicholas, Peter,
Lena, Rosa, George and Joseph. Mrs. Henrietta Halmes
departed this life in 1880.
The present wife of our subject, to
whom he was married in 1881, bears the name of
Henrietta Plager. This lady, as was the former wife of
our subject, is a member of the Lutheran Church, while
Mr. H. belongs to the German Catholic. He is a man of
decided ideas and votes independently, aiming to
support the men whom he considers the most trustworthy
and efficient for office.

OBERT
EMENS is a member of the firm of Gerardet, Boone &
Emens, pioneer dry goods, grocery and notion merchants
of the city of Weeping Water. These gentlemen are
young, active and enterprising, and have a bright and
promising future before them.
Our subject was born in New Jersey,
May 21, 1857, a son of Abraham Emens, who was born in
the same State in 1830. The father was in business in
Dayton until middle age, and there married Anna Van
Arsdale, a most estimable woman, and a member of the
Reformed Church. They are the parents of two children,
Gertrude and our subject.
Their daughter is now Mrs. F. E.
Adams, of Pekin, Ill. When Mr. Emens was about forty
years of age he abandoned his native State, and the
home of his birth, with all its associations, to begin
life again in the Prairie State, and settling in
Pekin, Ill., established himself in the mercantile
business, which he carried on for three years with
good success. After that he turned his attention to
farming, and he now owns a fine farm eight miles west
of Pekin, where he and his wife make their home. He is
a man of prominence in that locality, and has held
several township and county offices. His father,
Jonathan Emens, was a native of New Jersey, where he
carried on farming and was also engaged in other
business.
Robert Emens was twelve years old
when his parents became residents of Illinois, and he
completed his education in the excellent High School
of Pekin. After leaving school he engaged with his
father on the farm until he attained manhood, and he
then started out in life for himself. He remained in
Illinois until 1882, when he came to Weeping Water.
For some years he acted as clerk for different
merchants in this State, a part of the time for Mr.
Gerardet, his present partner, who was then manager
for Wessel & Kohn, of Nebraska City. After the big
fire of 1887 our subject, with other members of the
firm, opened a new store, the doors being first opened
to the public Jan. 10, 1888, since which time they
have done a good and promising business. Their
establishment is well fitted up and neatly arranged,
and every department is well stocked with goods, the
best in the market, and at reasonable prices.
Mr. Emens was married to Miss Cora
Boone, of Utica, Neb., Nov. 26, 1884. To this union
have been born two children -- Sterling, Jr., and
Hazel. Mrs. Emens was born in Manito, Ill., in 1863,
and is a daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Robinson)
Boone. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and in
later life he moved to Illinois, where for some years
he was engaged in farming, and there his death
occurred. His widow moved to Utica, Neb., where she
lived until the marriage of her daughter Cora, and is
now living here with her.
Our subject is a wide-awake man, of
good business principles and exceptional habits, and
his